NANO-HEROES NEXT LEVEL AGENCY – VICE-PRESIDENT'S OFFICE
Black Monkey stood before the desk. The vice-president, a man in a suit and tie, his face red with anger, faced him.
"Fucking hell, Monkey! How could you let those thugs escape?"
Black Monkey didn't answer.
"That USB key contains information about the Association's actions that the public isn't supposed to see. If those thugs leak that information…"
He slammed his fist on the desk.
"…not only will you pay the price, but the head of the company too! Mr. Tank is also an Association hero, I'll have you know!"
He approached.
"If he were to lose his image… where would I end up? Did you think about me, you little selfish brat?"
Black Monkey lowered his head.
"I'm sorry, sir."
"If only you didn't hold back your blows…"
Black Monkey looked up.
"I would advise you to avoid that subject, sir. If I hold back my blows, it's because I don't want to kill anyone. With such power, I have to take responsibility."
The vice-president stepped forward. He was about to hit Black Monkey.
Black Monkey's aura made him fall.
The vice-president was on the ground, sweating.
"What were you planning to do, sir?"
"Don't come closer…"
His phone rang. He answered.
"Hello? …Okay. Thank you."
He hung up. His face changed.
"Good news, Monkey. You have to go to an Association conference. You're one of the most popular heroes. So your presence is required."
Black Monkey nodded.
"Very well, sir."
---
PHOTO STUDIO – ANGEL'S SHOOT
Angel was in the middle of a photo shoot. He wore a tailored costume, jewelry, a luxury perfume. A spotlight illuminated his face.
The director shouted:
"There, great! Angel, I want more sensuality! Desire!"
Angel closed his eyes. He summoned his stand.
"ANGEL POSE."
He struck a bizarre pose. Almost impossible proportions. His body seemed to defy gravity.
The entire technical crew's eyes widened. Even Grann, doing pull-ups in a corner, stopped dead.
Then he recovered. He noticed Angel's phone vibrating.
"Angel."
Angel didn't answer.
"ANGEL."
He turned around.
"The Association needs you for a press conference."
Angel broke the pose. He got dressed, did his makeup quickly.
"Okay. We're going in a minute."
---
SMALL RESTAURANT – CAPTAIN MAN, ONE, AND KOTOBE
They were eating noodles. Kotobe was talking non-stop.
"—And that's when you used the Justice Punch against the red giant! And Titan was there, he said 'CAPTAIN!' and you did…"
Captain Man smiled, tired. One chewed his noodles, looking elsewhere.
Captain Man's phone rang.
He answered.
"Hello? …Yes. Okay."
He hung up.
"The conference. Them too."
Kotobe jumped up.
"Are we going?"
"We're going."
---
THE CONFERENCE – GRAND AUDITORIUM
The heroes were there. Captain Man, Angel, Black Monkey, others too. Stands filled with fans. Cameras everywhere.
The fans seemed more interested in the star heroes than anything else. Signs. Screams. Tears.
Lion stepped onto the stage.
He greeted the crowd. Then his face grew serious.
"Ladies and gentlemen. The Hero Association has always worked for the safety and well-being of all."
He paused.
"However, an illegal organization is trying to undermine our work."
He looked at the camera.
"The Gambling Agency."
The crowd murmured.
"We have evidence. Testimonies. Illegal actions."
He raised his hand.
"We will act. Legally. Firmly."
The fans applauded, without really understanding.
---
NANO-NEKO – VIRAL TWEET
At the same moment, a tweet exploded on Nano-Neko.
"The secrets of the Hero Association. The truth you're not supposed to see."
A link. A document. Photos. Names.
People clicked.
The servers trembled.
The public's attention shifted.
Suddenly, no one was listening to Lion anymore. Phones vibrated. Eyes were glued to screens.
The Association's secrets were leaking.
---
TO BE CONTINUED…